The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has cautioned local government chairpersons to be transparent and responsible in managing public funds, emphasizing that they do not enjoy immunity from prosecution.
Addressing participants at the Gombe State Local Government Summit on Wednesday, Olukoyede urged council leaders to handle financial resources judiciously.
He warned that the EFCC would not wait until the end of their tenure before taking action against corrupt practices.
“Local government chairmen are not immune from prosecution, and we will not delay investigations until after your tenure,” he declared.
Expressing concern over the state of local governance, the EFCC chief criticized councils for failing to drive meaningful development, despite receiving substantial allocations.
He described many local governments as mere symbolic entities, with little to show for the resources funneled into them over the years.
“The people in these communities do not feel the impact of the funds allocated for their development. Instead of being agents of progress, councils have become mere names without substance,” he lamented.
To enhance oversight, Olukoyede announced the creation of a Fraud Risk Assessment and Control Department within the EFCC.
He also advocated for the establishment of compliance units to track fund utilization and ensure that rural development projects are effectively executed.
“The EFCC will be making unannounced visits to monitor how you manage public funds. We might show up in the evening—or even in your dreams,” he warned.